The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-10-26
West Virginia People Making Short Work Ct
Gang Of Wanderers.
The A,sassins Of the Rev. Hr. Ryan Trsilsd
and Several Executed,
A SktTif's Posse Eas Pitched Battle With
an Entrsnehsd Party.
Citizsns Determined Oh Extermioatins the
GAng-DetaiIs of the Murder of MIR,
Ryan-Tne Country Aroused.

CHARLESTON, w. Va, October ls.-Since
the murder OF Rev. Thomas 2. Ryan near
Spencer, Roane county, this State, it has
been learned that an organized band of
regulators of over ], 900 citizens, farmers
and others of Jackson, Roane, Kanawha,
Clay and elmer counties, has existed for
SIX months. The organization was formed
Tor the purpose of self protection against
the organized bands of robbers and muir
derers who have run riot in certain locali-
ties OF Jackson, Roane and kanawha cum
ties in which stores have been
robbed and Inofensive people made
10 suffer. 1t was about IL o'clock
Thursday night last when the
door OF Rev. Ryen's mountain home was
crushed in after a shot had been fired
through the front door. Ryan immediate
" sprang from his bed, grabbed his sho;-
gun, cooked both barrels, and exclaimed
What is wanted" The reply was from
the inner door, "0ld man, we want your
money and mean to have it," A second
shot was fred and Ryan exclaimed
"Mother'-speaking to his wife-"I am
killed. l am shot through the bowels
Thereupon one barrel of his shotgun was
discharged, taking effect in the side of the
room, supposed to have been caused by his
fall. This caused a halt and the wife and
a son took Ryan to an upstairs room, after
which the murderers, five in num-
Der, ransacked the lower part
Of the house, getting nothing, and
overlooking money near at hand.
Strong circumstsntial evidence pointed
70 Charles Coon, George Duff, Jr., Robert
ID. Duff and Perry Drake, for whom war
arrested at his home. Constable Gibson
and posse OF about sixty went to the
residence of George Duff, Sr., in Kaintuck,
Jackson County. where George Duff, Jr.,
and Coon were chartered They had pre-
pared for an assault, expecting trouble
some time. Coon saw the posse moving
upon the house, and cody notified two
females present TO leave as there was going
20 oe show. Upon the approach
Of the officers Coon warned
them away and Immediately opened
FIRE with pistol. The FIRE was returned
az the officers and for a few minutes bull
let's flew thick and fast, from each party.
The outlaws took refuge in an up stairs
room where DOff was brought down by
shot from rifle. The officers then sur
rounded the house and were ABOUT to set
II on ire when Old man Duff, respectable
fsrmer prevailed upon Coon to surrender,
which be did as his ammunition was about
exhausted. Robert NJ. Duff was arrested the
same day, last Friday at his home near
that OF his father.
On Saturday noon the prisoners were
taken to the scene of their crime, and
Justice set yesterday for their preliminary
trial. Meanwhile George Duff, Jr., died at
home Sunday night The rest of the pris-
cners were taken to nelghbors' houses
where they were kept under guard until
Sunday night, when about 500 masked
men took Coon from the officers, and, with
a rope around his neck, hurried him to q
convenient tree. On his way he prayed
and made confession, which is to be re-
Wi ho hufo 10 81
he was guilty of participating in the MUIR
der: that Bob and George Duff we're along;
that George Duff fired the fatal shot from
mis- (COon's) revolver. Some say he impli-
Gated Drake. Others say he did not speak
of him. Whatever the confession was he
was Immediately hung, dying game.
After the hanging of Coon, tue regu-
lstors went after Bob Duff aud hurriedly
took him toward the scene of Coon's execu-
Jion- 1t is both alleged and denied that he
confessed. Shots we're fired at the mob
either by guards or friends Of Duff. Tue
mob scattered instantly. In the early
mOrDiDg-Tuesdsy- body OF Bob
Duff was found in the public road with
his throat cut and irighttul stabs in his
chest almost in sight of the body OF Coon
vhich was still haugIng to the tree.
Neither was touched until late Sunday
evening when a cOroner's jury assembled
and adjourned without discovering any
thing. Coon, who had no friends near,
was buried by farmer. Relatives of Daft
took charge OF his remains and buried
them near his home yesterday.
Drake was spared and yesterday taken
70 the Ryan residence for examination.
A large crowd Of armed men who were pres
snt determined upon lynching him. He
waved examination and was ordered TO the
lail in Charleston. After much trouble
and danger ne reached here tonight under
the guard of Captain Burnett, OF the
Eureka Detective agency, and a strong
posse. No warrants have been issaed for
Cunningham who il is alleged is one OF the
gang, AS the investigation of the affair
progresses interesting results are GER
tain. Officers are after Others who are said
TO be members of the outlaw band. Coon
came here from Tayler. Texas, and called
himself Jesse James. Great trouble is ex-
pec,ed as the efairs has grown into VEN
Delta and rival factions are after each
other.